If I was making a list of my top ten favorite covers; without a doubt this makes my list. It captures the essence and the energy of our favorite heroes doing super heroic deeds. This came out when the covers were still important to the sale of a comic. Who could see this cover and not make a purchase?
It is such an iconic cover. That issue is one of the many reasons why Marvel comics were so far ahead of everyone else in the eighties. Secret Wars, Miller on Daredevil, Simonson on Thor, Roger Stern on Avengers and Spider-Man, G.I. Joe, Transformers, David Michelinie and Bob Layton on Iron Man, Chris Claremont with Paul Smith/John Romita jr on X-Men, Micheal Golden covers, and everything John Byrne was working on. Jim Shooter calling the shots.There are so many reasons that I could name for why Marvel was the best in that time period. Is it any wonder Marvel owned the marketplace. I am doubtful that we will ever see that level of excellence and dominance in the comic book industry again. The eighties were a great time to be a comic book fan and why your website is one of the best on the internet.
Jason, I do have a favor to ask. I had a poster growing up that I would love to own again. It came out in the mid 80's and I have never been able to find another. Since you are the master of Marvel in the 80's; I cannot think of a better person to ask. It had Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus. Wolverine's image was much more prominent than the other two. I also believe there were street signs from another country. I want to say German, but they could have been Russian. That is the best I can come up with from memory. It has been more than twenty five years ago. Any ideas? I have looked everywhere for a number of years.
That is a nice piece, but that is not the one I am thinking about. I am pretty sure it has never been a comic book cover. I am about ninety percet certain there were street signs in German. I cannot remember the artists name. It was abeautiful piece and I have been looking for a replacement for many years. I really appreciate you looking for me. I was hoping you would know the piece right off the top of your head. Especially with your vast knowledge, research, and love for all things from Marvel in the eighties. Perhaps one of your readers will have some information. If I do come across it I will send you a link. I am pretty sure you will enjoy it.
Jason, I wanted to write and say that I have finally found an image of that poster. It was done in 1985 by Rick Leonardi. It was a lot easier once I found out the name of the artist. I just happened to get lucky doing a few searches tonight. It is such a beautiful poster and it was done at a time when Wolverine was not so over exposed. Along with Nightcrawler and Colossus; it also features Cyclops, Storm, and Shadowcat. There are also a couple of ninjas off to the side. I have looked for that poster for many years. It hung on my wall for most of my teenage years. Now if only I could find one for sale.At least now I know what I am looking for when I search. Thank you again for trying to help me find it. I really like the poster you put up earlier today. Maybe the Rick Leonardi poster will make it on to your blog. Thank you again for your help.
Well, shoot, I had that poster on my wall for years as well. Sorry I didn't identify it earlier, I remember it as having a whole team of X-Men and some hand ninjas, and a huge honking picture of the head of "cowboy" Logan. It was a nice picture. Good inking by Terry Austin too, if I recall correctly.
I used Google with the keywords Wolverine poster Rick Leonardi. I got a few good images. I am just not sure if the resolution is high enough for you to use. If I am able to obtain a copy for myself I will send you a high quality picture. I feel as if that poster is perfect for your site. Especially with the fact that there was very little merchandise with Wolverine at that time. He is such a huge part of the Marvel Universe now, but then he was just a role player in the one X-Men title. Just one X-Men title produced by Marvel. How odd that sounds today. It also perfectly summarizes his character at that point. Everything you need to know about him is right there.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts on the Secret Wars storylines. I would love to see you post about the action figure line. A really in depth article. Younger readers would not understand, but in the eighties that was it as far as Marvel action figures. I remember picking up those Marvel TSR role playing games. Not because I wanted to play. I never even learned how. I just wanted the miniatures of my favorite Marvel heroes.
I will also continue to search. I would hate to see that piece get lost to the passage of time. If I am able to obtain a copy the first thing I am going to do is take a picture and send it to you. I know I have posted this before, but I really enjoy your site and the work that you do on it. The eighties were a very important time in comic book history. It is such a shame that too often it gets overlooked. Marvel dominated the market and put out top quality books. I do not think the overall quality of books from any other time period matches what was put out in the eighties. Thanks for keeping that time period alive.
Jason,
ReplyDeleteIf I was making a list of my top ten favorite covers; without a doubt this makes my list. It captures the essence and the energy of our favorite heroes doing super heroic deeds. This came out when the covers were still important to the sale of a comic. Who could see this cover and not make a purchase?
Hey Jason, I couldn't agree more. Such a dramatic cover and it actually teased at an event that would happen within the comic!
ReplyDeleteIt is such an iconic cover. That issue is one of the many reasons why Marvel comics were so far ahead of everyone else in the eighties. Secret Wars, Miller on Daredevil, Simonson on Thor, Roger Stern on Avengers and Spider-Man, G.I. Joe, Transformers, David Michelinie and Bob Layton on Iron Man, Chris Claremont with Paul Smith/John Romita jr on X-Men, Micheal Golden covers, and everything John Byrne was working on. Jim Shooter calling the shots.There are so many reasons that I could name for why Marvel was the best in that time period. Is it any wonder Marvel owned the marketplace. I am doubtful that we will ever see that level of excellence and dominance in the comic book industry again. The eighties were a great time to be a comic book fan and why your website is one of the best on the internet.
ReplyDeleteJason, I do have a favor to ask. I had a poster growing up that I would love to own again. It came out in the mid 80's and I have never been able to find another. Since you are the master of Marvel in the 80's; I cannot think of a better person to ask. It had Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus. Wolverine's image was much more prominent than the other two. I also believe there were street signs from another country. I want to say German, but they could have been Russian. That is the best I can come up with from memory. It has been more than twenty five years ago. Any ideas? I have looked everywhere for a number of years.
Hey James, I'll see what I can dig up about that poster. Any idea who the artist might have been, that would probably help the search.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be this poster would it?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.art.com/products/p8381082215-sa-i5287601/mark-chiarello-classic-x-men-23-wolverine-nightcrawler-and-colossus.htm
This one's from 1987ish and the signs are in Japanese...
That is a nice piece, but that is not the one I am thinking about. I am pretty sure it has never been a comic book cover. I am about ninety percet certain there were street signs in German. I cannot remember the artists name. It was abeautiful piece and I have been looking for a replacement for many years. I really appreciate you looking for me. I was hoping you would know the piece right off the top of your head. Especially with your vast knowledge, research, and love for all things from Marvel in the eighties. Perhaps one of your readers will have some information. If I do come across it I will send you a link. I am pretty sure you will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteGod, I miss covers with WORDS on them.
ReplyDeletestarfoxxx
Jason,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to write and say that I have finally found an image of that poster. It was done in 1985 by Rick Leonardi. It was a lot easier once I found out the name of the artist. I just happened to get lucky doing a few searches tonight. It is such a beautiful poster and it was done at a time when Wolverine was not so over exposed. Along with Nightcrawler and Colossus; it also features Cyclops, Storm, and Shadowcat. There are also a couple of ninjas off to the side. I have looked for that poster for many years. It hung on my wall for most of my teenage years. Now if only I could find one for sale.At least now I know what I am looking for when I search. Thank you again for trying to help me find it. I really like the poster you put up earlier today. Maybe the Rick Leonardi poster will make it on to your blog. Thank you again for your help.
Hey James, glad you found it. Only found a few poor images of the poster, if you have any better quality ones, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteI love Layton's nod to Steranko in the second one! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, shoot, I had that poster on my wall for years as well. Sorry I didn't identify it earlier, I remember it as having a whole team of X-Men and some hand ninjas, and a huge honking picture of the head of "cowboy" Logan. It was a nice picture. Good inking by Terry Austin too, if I recall correctly.
ReplyDeleteJason,
ReplyDeleteI used Google with the keywords Wolverine poster Rick Leonardi. I got a few good images. I am just not sure if the resolution is high enough for you to use. If I am able to obtain a copy for myself I will send you a high quality picture. I feel as if that poster is perfect for your site. Especially with the fact that there was very little merchandise with Wolverine at that time. He is such a huge part of the Marvel Universe now, but then he was just a role player in the one X-Men title. Just one X-Men title produced by Marvel. How odd that sounds today. It also perfectly summarizes his character at that point. Everything you need to know about him is right there.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts on the Secret Wars storylines. I would love to see you post about the action figure line. A really in depth article. Younger readers would not understand, but in the eighties that was it as far as Marvel action figures. I remember picking up those Marvel TSR role playing games. Not because I wanted to play. I never even learned how. I just wanted the miniatures of my favorite Marvel heroes.
Thanks James, I found those as well and they don't really do the piece justice. I'll have to keep looking.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have the action figures and toys on my to write about list, it's just a matter of getting to it!
Jason,
ReplyDeleteI will also continue to search. I would hate to see that piece get lost to the passage of time. If I am able to obtain a copy the first thing I am going to do is take a picture and send it to you. I know I have posted this before, but I really enjoy your site and the work that you do on it. The eighties were a very important time in comic book history. It is such a shame that too often it gets overlooked. Marvel dominated the market and put out top quality books. I do not think the overall quality of books from any other time period matches what was put out in the eighties. Thanks for keeping that time period alive.
Thanks for the kind words James. I appreciate it.
ReplyDelete